Passing Kidney Stones: What You Need To Know

by | Oct 18, 2023

7 Things To Know About Passing Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, passing kidney stones is not always easy, and if you’ve never had a kidney stone before you may not know what to expect. 

In this post, we cover things you should know about passing kidney stones and help prepare you for the potential outcomes during, and after, passing kidney stones so you know what you can expect. 

1. Early Diagnosis Enhances Treatment Success.

When dealing with kidney stones, getting diagnosed promptly is crucial. Thanks to advanced tools like X-rays, CT scans, urine tests, and blood tests, doctors can accurately pinpoint the size, composition, and location of the stone(s). This detailed information allows healthcare providers to create personalized treatment plans. Detecting kidney stones early not only speeds up the treatment process but also greatly increases the chances of a successful recovery, making the journey to healing smoother.

Related: Questions to Ask Your Urologist About Kidney Stones

2. Not All Kidney Stones Can Be Passed Naturally.

While we hope you can pass kidney stones naturally and with little discomfort, we know that it doesn’t always work out that way. If you’ve had multiple kidney stones in the past, then you know experiences can differ, plus, once you’ve had one kidney stone, your chances of having another increase. 

If your kidney stones are relatively small, meaning less than 5mm, they should be able to exit your body naturally by traveling down your urethra and exit the body along with your urine. 

However, if your kidney stones are larger than 5mm, chances are you’ll need assistance to remove them. If this is the case, your urologist may recommend one of these three procedure types

  1. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This surgery uses shock waves to break up kidney stones so that they can be passed naturally. 
  2. Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy: This procedure uses powerful miniature lasers to break up kidney stones into dust and tiny passable fragments.
  3. Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy: This is a treatment option for very large stones. This minimally invasive procedure uses a puncture directly into the kidney allowing placement of a stone-pulverizing device to remove very large stones.

If you have a kidney stone, your doctor will need to determine the size of it to recommend which treatment is best for you.

3. There Are Multiple Ways To Help Pass Kidney Stones.

While there isn’t a medication that can magically make the kidney stone exit the body, your doctor may prescribe an alpha-blocker to help with the pain. Alpha-blockers help relax your urinary tract muscles and allow you to pass the stone with minimized pain. 

However, there are natural remedies you can try to help pass a kidney stone. As always, be sure to consult your doctor before starting any natural remedy.

  1. Drink lots of water. Water infused with citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange can help break up the stones to make passing them easier. This is easy to do at home, too. Simply cut up slices of your preferred fruit and place them in water.
  2. Drink equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. This may help ease the pain associated with passing kidney stones as well as help break them up.
  3. Drink apple cider vinegar. Take only a few ounces at a time mixed with water. This is also a great prevention practice!
  4. Eat diuretic foods. Watermelon, celery, and cucumber may help you pass kidney stones. 

To learn more natural remedies to try, read our post 

15 Ways to Relieve Kidney Pain at Home!

4. Passing Kidney Stones Will Most Likely Hurt.

Passing kidney stones is rumored to be very painful, but each person will have a different experience. Preparing for pain and talking with your doctor about it can help to ease fears. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe you a medication, such as alpha-blockers, that can help ease kidney stone pain. 

Depending on the size of your kidney stones, some may be more painful to pass than others. Even if your kidney stone is smaller than 5mm and can be passed naturally, it will likely cause discomfort in your back, sides, and urinary tract. If the pain becomes severe, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor. 

5. Hydration is Key—Both for Passing Kidney Stones and Preventing Them.

Staying hydrated while passing kidney stones is crucial. Kidney stones need to be flushed out of the body and drinking lots of fluids will help move them along. Water is best (or water with citrus fruits as mentioned above)and there are a few liquids that should be avoided altogether while passing a kidney stone.

You should do your best to eliminate alcohol, coffee, tea, and soda during this time. Do your best to drink as much water as possible. Dehydrating fluids like alcohol and coffee will not help you pass your kidney stones and may make the pain worse. 

Curious about the role alcohol plays in kidney stone prevention? Read our post

Can Wine Prevent Kidney Stones?

Hydration is also vital for preventing kidney stones. Kidney stones form when there’s an excess of minerals in your kidneys, but not enough fluids to dilute them. Staying hydrated is crucial to preventing kidney stone formation as well as passing kidney stones if you have them.

Related: What Causes Kidney Stones?

6. Dietary Changes Can Help Prevent Recurrence. 

Diet plays a crucial role in kidney stone prevention. Individuals prone to specific types of stones, such as calcium oxalate stones or uric acid stones, may need tailored dietary adjustments. Reducing salt, animal proteins, and oxalate-rich foods while increasing citric acid intake can aid in preventing stone recurrence.


Discover our top tips and tricks for achieving and maintaining optimal urology health!

For more advice surrounding your uterine health, download our free Nutrition & Lifestyle Guide. This guide will help you learn about and choose healthy options that can improve your general and urological health (including kidney stones!). Click the button below to access your guide.

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7. Passing Kidney Stones May Take a Long Time.

The length of time it takes to pass a kidney stone highly depends on the size and location of the kidney stone.

If the kidney stone is small, it will likely be able to pass on its own. However, it’s difficult to estimate how long it will take to exit the body. Stones that are positioned at the end of the ureter closest to the bladder (rather than the end near the kidney), are more likely to pass on their own and more quickly. Larger stones, or stones that are located in a difficult place, are unlikely to pass on their own and may require medical assistance. 

Having Trouble Passing Your Kidney Stone On Your Own?

Whether you have had a kidney stone before or not, attempting to pass them on your own isn’t always easy. If you are experiencing pain associated with passing kidney stones, or are unable to pass your kidney stone on your own, reach out to us. 

Our team of board-certified urologists will be able to determine the size of your kidney stone(s) and the next steps for treatment. Plus, we can work with you to mitigate discomfort and make passing kidney stones as painless as possible. 

To schedule an appointment at one of our locations to discuss your kidney stone concerns and explore personalized treatment options, simply click the button below. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals is here to assist you every step of the way!

Content was originally published in August 2019 and rewritten in November 2023.